Hopper for cigarette-making machines



June 22 1926.

W. F. GRUPE -HOPPER FOR CIGARETTE MAKING M ACHINES Filed'Oct. 10, 1919 3Sheets-Sheet 1 u I n JAN .7: 9 B, v

% ATTORNEY June 22 1926.

1,589,639 w. F. GRUPE HOPPER FOR CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINES Filed Oct.10, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 22 1926. 1,539,639

W. F- GRUPE HOPPER FOR CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINES Filed Oct. 10, 1919 3Sheets-Sheet 3 w t 1.2 Wu ll; W! I 6 46 a m a W /glVENTOR ATTORNEYPatented June 22, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,589,639 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. GRUPE, or HUDSON HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, Assrenon To ENDLESSBELT CORPORATION, rive, A 00 RPORATION OF NEW YORK.

HOPPER FOR CIGARETTE-MAKING MACHINES.

Application filed. October 10, 1919. Serial No. 329,829.

This invention relates to cigarette making machines.

An object of this invention is to provide means for attaining uniformityof the produced cigarettes.

In cigarette making machines in present use and as heretofore proposedthe produced ciragettes vary individually in total tobacco content aswell as in the distribution and density of the tobacco within the paperwrapper or container. Such defects in the produced cigarettes I havediscovered, arise from the inherent defects of the arrangement andconstruction of the means for agitating and feeding of the tobacco inthe hopper. I

As a result of such inherent defects, the produced cigarettes are notuniform in smoking qualities, owing to the absence of uniformdistribution and density of the contained tobacco. As another result, ithas been necessary to over-charge the tobacco fed into the hopper tosatisfy the requirements of the internal revenue and other laws, so thatin fact a surplus quantity of tobacco has been necessary in themanufacture of cigarettes by such prior machines.

I have discovered that the aforesaid defects are overcome by providing ahopper for cigarette making machines comprising, in the more preferredforms of my invention, a plurality of sets of carding 1nechanismsarranged to jointly subject the charge of tobacco within the hopper toagitating forces varying in degree, direction and effective period,whereby lumps or felted masses of tobacco are broken up and the chargeas a whole is fed uniformly to the carding mechanism and uniformlydelivered by the same to the delivery apron to the cigarette rod formingmechanism of the ma chine. In such more preferred forms of my invention,the delivery to the-apron is in the form of a plurality of streams oftobacco supplied by the respective carding mechanisms.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following description and the accompanying drawings,in which-- Fig. 1 is a vertical central sectional elevation showing oneembodiment of my hopper;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional elevation showing a modification;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic vertical elevation of the driving mechanisms ofparts of the aforesaid constructions;

Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation showing the common driving mechanism,with individually varied regulating means for the respective sets ofcarding mechanisms; and

i Fig. 5 is a plan view of parts of Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. l, the hopper 1 comprises the oppositely disposed endframes 2, only one being shown and the oppositely disposed side frames3, 3, provided with the usual hinged doors, 4, 4.

\Vithin the hopper 1 is arranged one set of carding mechanism comprisingthe upper roll 5 and also lower carding roll 6, the aforesaid beingdriven in opposite directions and preferably the former in the directionof the arrow 9 and the latter in the direction of the arrow 10. The roll5 is mounted on its shaft 7 and the roll 6 on its shaft 8, these shaftsbeing driven by suitable driving mechanism, as appears more fullyhereinafter. The roll 5 serves to level the tobacco taken up by the pinsof the carding roll 6. Coacting with the aforesaid rolls 5, 6, arearranged the pin roll 11 mounted on its shaft 12, and driven by suitablegearing in the direction of the arrow 18, and the paddle wheel 14mounted on a suitable shaft and driven in the direction of the arrow 15.

The other carding mechanism comprises the upper or leveling roll 16 andthe lower or carding roll 17, the former being mounted on its shaft 18and the latter on its shaft 19 and respectively driven in counterdirections indicated by the respective arrows- 20, 21; Coactingtherewith is arranged the pin roll 22 driven in the direction of thearrow 24. and the paddle wheel 25 driven in the direction of the arrow26. The aforesaid sets of carding mechanisms may comprise the usualWipers 104, 104.

In Fig. 3 I have shown one form of suitable mechanism for imparting thedesired motions to the aforesaid respective parts of the sets of cardingrolls. The main shaft of the cigarette machineis indicated at 40providedwith the belt pulley 41. Fixed to the main shaft 40, see alsoFig. 4, are the cone pulleys 42, 43, coacting respectively with theoppositely arranged cone pulleys 44, 45, and the crossed belts 46, 47.The cone pulley 44 is fixed on the shaft 48 controlling generally thedrive of the sets of carding rolls and associated devices shown to theright in Fig. 1 and the cone pulley is fixed on the shaft 49 controllinggenerally the drive of the set of carding rolls and associated devicesshown to the left in Fig. 1.

Specifically, the counter-shaft is driven from the shaft 48 by suitablegearing, driving in turn by means of the chain 51 the sprocket gear 52,and thereby the shaft '7 of the carding roll 5 by means of the pawl 53and ratchet gear 54, in the usual approved manner. Such sprocket 53drives the shaft 8 of the carding roll 6 by the suitable gearing asindicated. The shaft 12 of the pin wheel 13 and the shaft of the paddlewheel 14 are driven by the chain 56, driven by the sprocket 57 meshingwith the sprocket on the shaft 50, as indicated.

In a similar manner, the shaft 18 of the carding roll 16 is controlledby the counter shaft 49 through the chain 58 and associated sprocketwheels and gearing, thereby in turn driving the shaft 19 of the cardingroll 17. Similarly, the shaft 23 of the pin wheel 22 and the shaft 59 ofthe paddle wheel 25 are controlled by the counter shaft 49 through thechain and associated sprocket wheels and gearing as indicated.

Thus, upon drive of the main shaft 40 in clockwise direction, as viewedin F 3. the carding wheel 5 is rotated in. the direction of the arrow 9,its associated carding wheel 6 rotated in the direction of the arrow 10,of the one set, and the carding wheel 16 rotated in the direction of thearrow 20 and the carding wheel 17 in the direction of the arrow 21, ofthe other set, the other associated parts being rotated in properrelative direction of rotation as hereinabove set forth.

As a result of the aforesaid arrangement the charge of tobaccopositioned between the rolls of the respective sets is subjected to theintermittent forces directed in transverse directions arising from theintermittent drive of the uppermost rolls 5, 16. As any given portion ofthe charge of tobacco descends within the hopper, it is subjected tofurther forces directed in transverse directions and continuous inperiod. By such arrangement of varying forces, the tobacco is agitatedin such manner whereby the formation of air pockets is precluded andlumps or felted masses which may be present in the initial charge, isprecluded.

.lhtrther. the directions of the forces of agitation are from therespective sets generally toward the opposite sets, whereby the chargeof tobacco is fed substantially uniformly in contact with the respectiverolls and thus uniformly carded by the respective carding rollsindividually. The carded tobacco is delivered. in the form of aplurality of streams 91, 92, to the common delivery apron 34, of usualconstruction, and the joint delivery of the plurality of streams oftobacco, as indicated by the arrow is fed to the feeding chute 35 ofapproved construction, and in turn on the strip of cigarette paperdisposed above and controlled by the tube belt 37 of the usualconstruction and driven by any approved driving mechanism, as will beunderstood.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the bottom of the hopperis formed of the oppositely arranged pin rolls 100, 101, driven bysuitable driving mechanism in counter directions shown by the indicated.arrows. The pan 102 serves to catch any dust or other undesirableportion of the charge.

In the modification shown in l 2, corresponding parts are designated bylike reference numbers, the modification shown in Fig. 2 differing fromthe construction of Fig. 1 primarily in that the bottom of the hopper isformed of substantially arcuate plates 27. 28, arranged in suitablecoaction with the carding rolls (3, 17, similar to the rotating pinwheels 100, 101. In the modification shown in Fig. 2, the tobacco is fedin a form of a plurality of streams, 91, 92, to the common apron 9t),and delivered to the similar feeding chute 93 of approved constructionin turn feeding the tobacco to the paper strip 94, controlled by thetube belt 95, of usual construction. The regulating means comprises thethreaded rods 70, 71, suitably journaled in the end frames 72, 73, thethreaded rod carrying the shipper arm 74 controlling the position of thecrossed belt 46 relative to the lower cone pulley 42 and the upper conepulley 44. Similarly, the threaded rod 71 is provided with the shipperarm 75 for controlling the crossed belt 48 relative to its lower conepulley 43 and its upper cone pulley 45. The threaded rod 70 is providedat one end with the worm wheel 76 meshing with the trans verse wormwheel 77 mounted on the regulating shaft 78 provided with the connecting and disconnecting clutch 79, said rod 78 being controlled by theregulating crank arm 80. Similarly, the threaded rod 71 is provided withthe worm wheel 81 meshing with the transverse worm wheel 82 carried bythe shaft 83 to which the crank arm is also fixed. The regulating shaft83 is provided with the connecting and disconnecting clutch 84. 1* orsimplicity of arrangement. the shaft 83 is shown hollow and receivinginteriorly the shaft 78, the shaft 78 passing loosely through a centralopening in the worm wheel 82.

Normally, the clutches 79, 84 are in connecting positions, whereby uponturning the regulating crank St), the threaded rods '51), 71 are rotatedin like directions, and shift to like extents and in the same directionslzlll i ll] the shipper arms. 74, 75, and therewith the crossed belts46, 47, relative to the respective sets of cone pulleys 42, 44C, and 43,45, thus simultaneously. adjusting the speeds of the respective shafts48, 49 and thereby controlling the relative speeds of the respectivesetsof carding wheels for the two tobacco feeding devices. Upon desiringto adjust the belt 41:6 without disturbing the adjustment of the beltl7, the clutch 79 controlling the shipper arm 74L of the belt 46 ismoved to open position, against, the stop indicated in Fig. 5, while theclutch S- lis left in its normal closed position and upon turning thecrank arm 80 the threaded rod 71 audits shipper arm 7: are moved to thedesired adjusted position. Similarly the belt 40 may be adjusted withoutdisturbing the adjustment of the belt 4;? by moving the clutch 84-, toits disconnecting position against the stop 86, as indicated in Fig. 5and turning the crank lever 80 as desired.

"\Vith respect to the several. forms of my hopper generally, itwill benoted that the charge of tobacco positioned between the continuouslyoperated and intermittently operated. rolls of the respective sets issubjected to forces of agitation o'l? *arying amount and of varyingperiod atany given location within the hopper and further modified invariation of direction of such forces tor the ditlerent locations withinthe hopper. Thus, as the charge of tobacco progresses through thehopper, it is etliectively agitated to break up lumps or telted masses,to preclude the condition of: air pockets and otherwise treat the chargeof tobacco to mechanical operations to provide uniform delivery by therespective sets of carding rolls of streams of tobacco o't substantiallyuniform amount and density.

. Such improved feeding to the respective sets of carding rolls is evenmaint. ined under the condition of partial charge within the hopper, byreason of the maintenance of contact oi? such partial charge oi? tobaccowith the respective lower earning wheels 6, 17. Upon adjustment of therelative speeds of actuation. of the respective sets oi? cardingmechanisms, to attain unitorm streams of tobacco, and thereby attain adetermined uniform total feed of tobacco by the hopper to the rodforming mechanism, incidental variations of any one stream of tobaccofrom its determined unitorn'i feed is averaged in amount, whereby thetotal feed t the hopper maintained substantia ly constant. It will benoted that when any :ul'ustment of an 7 iarticular set of cardinmechanism is desired, such. adjustment may be carried out while themachine as a whole ic keptin operation.

ll hereas I havedescribed my invention by reference to speciiic formsthereof, it

will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made,without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined by theappended claims.

I claimv 1. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a plurality of setsof carding devices disposed within said hopper, each set including acarding roll and a pin roll; said sets of carding devices being spacedfrom one another, and the space within said hopper intermediate saidsets of carding de vices being substantially :tree from obstruction forthe reception oi tobacco, whereby theentire charge of the tobacco withinthe hopper is substantially wholly supported by said carding rolls andindependently of said pin rolls; means for rotatably mounting saidcarding rolls and means for rotatably mounting said pin rolls in regionsrespectively without the aforesaid space.

2. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a plurality of sets oi?carding devices disposed respectively toward opposite sides interiorlyof said hopper; each set including a carding roll and a pin roll, andthe space intern'iediate said'setsof carding devices being tree fromobstruction for the reception of tobacco, whereby the entire charge oithe tobacco within the hopper 1s substan-v tially wholly supported bysaid carding rolls and inde gz-endently of said pin rolls; means forrotatably mounting said carding rolls within said hopper; and means forrotatably mounting each pin roll on a side of its warding roll in adirection toward a side of said hopper whereby to locate said pin rollin an unobstructed region of said hopper.

3. In a cigarette making machine, a hop per; aplurality of sets ofcarding devices disposed respectively toward opposite sides interior-1yof said hopper, each set including a carding roll and a pin roll; thespace intermediate said sets of carding devices being free fromobstruction tor the reception of tobacco, whereby the entire charge ofthe tobacco within the hopper is substantially wholly supported by saidcarding rolls and independently of said pin rolls; means for rotatablymounting said carding rolls within said hopper; means for rotatablymounting the pin roll of each set between the carding roll and theadjacent side of said hopper, whereby to locate said pin roll in anunobstructed region of said hopper; and mcansdisposed below said sets ofcarding devices tor conveying the carded tobacco exteriorly of saidhopper.

l. Ina cigarette making machine, a hopper; two sets of carding devicesdisposed respectively toward opposite sides interiorly of said hopper,each set including a carding roll and a pin roll; the space intermediatesaid sets of carding devices being free from obstruction for thereception of tobacco, whereby the entire charge of the tobacco withinthe hopper is substantially wholly supported by said carding rolls andindependently of said pin rolls; means for rotatably mounting saidcarding rolls within said hopper; means for rotatably mount ing the pinroll of each set between the carding roll and the adjacent side of saidhopper, whereby to locate said pin roll in an unobstructed region ofsaid hopper; speed regulating means for one of said sets of cardingdevices and separate speed regulating means for the other of said setsof carding devices.

5. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a plurality of sets ofcarding devices disposed within said hopper, each set including acarding roll and a pin roll; said sets of carding devices being spacedfrom one another and the space within said hopper intern'iediate saidsets of carding devices being substantially free from obstruction forthe reception of tobacco, whereby the entire charge of the tobaccowithin the hopper is substantially wholly supported by said cardingrolls and independently of said pin rolls; means for rotatably mountingsaid pin rolls in regions respectively without the aforesaid space; adriving shaft and gearing including a variable gearing member connectingsaid shaft with said sets of carding devices.

6. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a plurality of sets ofcarding devices disposed within said hopper, each set including acarding roll and a pin roll; said sets of carding devices being spacedfrom one another and the space within said hopper intermediate said setsof carding de vices being substantially free from obstruction for thereception of tobacco, whereby the entire charge of the tobacco withinthe hopper is substantially wholly supported by said carding rolls andindependently of said pin rolls; means for rotatably mounting said pinrolls in regions respectively without the aforesaid space; a drivingshaft and gearing including variable gearing members respectivelyconnecting said shaft with said sets of. carding devices.

7. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a plurality of sets ofcarding devices disposed within said hopper, each set including acarding roll and a pin roll; said sets of carding devices being spacedfrom one another and the space within said hopper intermediate said setsof carding devices be ing substantially free from obstruction for thereception of tobacco; means for rotatably mounting said carding rolls,means for rotatably mounting said pin rolls in regions respectivelywithout the aforesaid space; a driving shaft, gearing including aVariable gearing member connecting said driving shaft with one of saidsets of carding devices and separate gearing connecting said drivingshaft with the other of said carding devices and including a separatevariable gearing member.

8. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a set of carding rollsdisposed toward one side of said hopper, said carding rolls beingarranged respectively below one an other in a direction extending towardthe center of the interior of said hopper; a second set of carding rollsdisposed toward the opposite side of said hopper, the carding rolls ofsaid second set being arranged respectively below one another in adirection extending toward the center of the interior of said hopper;the upper portion of the central interior of said hopper being free fromobstruction for the reception of tobacco; a pin roll coacting with saidfirstnamed set of carding rolls and disposed on a side of a carding rollof said first-named set adjacent said first-named side of said hopperand a pin roll coacting with said SGCOIlCl-HRD'IQCl set of carding rollsand disposed on a side of a carding roll of said second-named set andadjacent said secondnamed side of said hopper.

9. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a set of carding rollsdisposed adjacent one side of said hopper, said carding rolls beingarranged respectively below one another in a direction extending towardthe center of the interior of said hopper; a second set of carding rollsdisposed adjacent the opposite side of said hopper, the carding rolls ofsaid second set being arranged respectively below one another in adirection extending toward the center of the interior of said hopper;the upper portion of the central interior of said hopper being free fromobstruction for the reception of tobacco; a pin roll coacting with saidfirstnamed set of carding rolls and disposed on a side of a carding rollof said first-named set adjacent said first-named side of the hopper; asecond pin roll coacting with said second-named set of carding rolls anddisposed on a side of a carding roll of said second-nan1ed set adjacentsaid secondnamed side of. the hopper and means variable at will fordriving said first-named set of carding rolls and said second-named setof carding rolls at the same or difieren't relative speeds.

10. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; a set of carding rollsdisposed toward one side of said hopper said carding rolls beingarranged respectively below one another in a direction extending towardthe center of the interior of said hopper; a second set of carding rollsbeing disposed toward the opposite side'of said hopper, the cardingrolls of said second set being arranged toward the center of theinterior of lli) of said hopper; means for regulating the carded tobaccodelivered from said firstnan'ied set of carding rolls and delivering thesame exterior of said hopper and separate means for regulating thecarded tobacco from said second-named set of carding rolls.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 9th day ofOctober, 1919.

WILLIAM F. GRUPE.

